Candles Are Safe — With a Few Simple Rules
Millions of candles are burned safely every day. The vast majority of candle-related incidents are preventable and trace back to a small set of avoidable mistakes. Whether you’re new to candles or a lifelong enthusiast, these guidelines will help you get the most out of every burn — safely and confidently.
Before You Light
- Trim the wick to ¼ inch. Every time, before every burn. A long wick burns hotter, produces more soot, and can cause the flame to flare. Use wick trimmers or small scissors and remove any debris from the wax pool.
- Inspect the vessel. Never burn a candle in a cracked, chipped, or damaged container. Heat stress can cause glass to fracture during a burn.
- Choose the right surface. Place your candle on a stable, flat, heat-resistant surface — a ceramic dish, coaster, or dedicated candle tray. Avoid wood surfaces, books, or anything that can scorch.
- Clear the area. Keep at least 12 inches of clearance above the flame and remove anything flammable nearby — curtains, paper, dried flowers, packaging.
While It’s Burning
- Never leave a burning candle unattended. This is the single most important candle safety rule. Always extinguish your candle before leaving a room or going to sleep.
- Keep away from drafts. Air movement from fans, open windows, vents, or air conditioning causes uneven burns, excess soot, and can push the flame toward nearby objects. Burn in a still environment for best results.
- Don’t burn for more than 4 hours at a time. Extended burns overheat the wax and wick, causing the wick to “mushroom” and the glass to get dangerously hot. Let the candle cool for at least 2 hours before relighting.
- Keep out of reach of children and pets. Place candles on elevated surfaces where they can’t be knocked over or reached by curious hands and paws.
- Never move a burning candle. Hot liquid wax can spill and cause burns. Always extinguish and let the wax harden before moving.
- Keep candles at least 3 inches apart. When burning multiple candles, spacing prevents them from creating a combined heat source that melts wax unevenly or overheats.
When to Extinguish
- Stop at ½ inch of remaining wax. Burning below this level risks overheating the glass vessel, which can cause cracking or scorching of the surface beneath. When you reach the ½ inch mark, it’s time to retire the candle and repurpose the jar.
- Use a candle snuffer, not your breath. Blowing out a candle sends hot wax and embers airborne and can push the wick off-center. A snuffer gives you a clean, controlled extinguish every time.
- If the flame gets too high. A flame higher than 1 inch indicates the wick needs trimming. Extinguish the candle, let it cool completely, trim the wick, and relight.
Storage and Handling
- Store at room temperature. Extreme heat can melt or warp the wax; extreme cold can cause cracking. A consistent room temperature is ideal.
- Keep the lid on between burns. This protects the wax from dust, debris, and fragrance evaporation — and helps your candle last longer.
- Avoid direct sunlight. UV exposure can fade the wax color and degrade the fragrance over time. Store candles away from windowsills and direct light.
Our Candles Are Built With Safety in Mind
Every Outdoor Fellow candle is poured into heat-resistant glass and made with a premium wax blend that burns cleanly and evenly. Our fragrances are paraben- and phthalate-free. Handcrafted in small batches in the USA, they’re designed to be enjoyed safely, burn after burn.
For more on getting the best performance from your candle, read our complete candle care guide or learn how to fix wet spots in jar candles.
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